University to lose funds as a result of recent state budget pass
DAKOTA OSWALT
As the fall semester kicks off, Northwest faces the loss of over half a million dollars as a result of Missouri’s latest budget passage.
Missouri’s $50.8 billion state operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026 was signed into law by Gov. Mike Kehoe June 30. In passing this, Kehoe vetoed nearly $14 million in funds for fouryear universities.
In January, Northwest President Lance Tatum said he, along with other university presidents across the state, was asked to go to Jefferson City to meet with Kehoe regarding his recommended state budget for the year.
At this meeting, Tatum said he and his colleagues hoped Kehoe would recommend a 3% increase in core state appropriations to the Consumer Price Index, which is an estimated cost of living for students based on economic inflation over time, tuition and other school fees. Core funding, Tatum said, makes up the primary contributions to Northwest’s budget. The 3% increase, as requested by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, totaled $13,964,931.
The governor informed them he would ultimately stick with the original 1.5% CPI increase, as noted in the Fiscal Year 2026 Veto Summary.
“I will commend Governor Kehoe,” Tatum said. “He was really honest…He listened very intently. He was very gracious about it, but at the end of the meeting, he said, ‘I’m going to stick with the 1.5%.’”
Due to this, Tatum said the Council on Public Higher Education, which Northwest is a part of, came together to brainstorm ways to advocate for an additional 1.5% to be added to the budget. The group compiled data points to take to the state legislature. Independent of COPHE, Northwest also had lobbyists ask for those funds to be raised to 3%.
After the initial legislative process, Tatum said the Senate evaluated the budget and decided to include the total 3% back into the budget. This caused university leaders like Tatum and Northwest’s Vice President of Finance & Administration Stacy Carrick to feel hope.
STRUCTURAL
Provost Jamie Hooyman
to
retire
after
nine years at Northwest; Tatum talks finding replacement by next semester
ANNA BAILEY News Editor | @ AmBailey16
After 34 years of working in higher education, Northwest’s Provost Jamie Hooyman is retiring in December. Hooyman was hired as the University’s provost in 2017. Prior to this job, she worked at North Central Missouri College for 10 years, serving as vice president of the university for her final two years there.
Thinking back to her first days at Northwest, Hooyman said she was excited to be here.
“Probably the other thing was a very quick realization that this campus and this University had something very special,” Hooyman said Hooyman said working as a provost is a unique job that can have many challenges. Regardless of the work, she said she has greatly enjoyed her experience.
“We have some of the best faculty and staff. I would put us up against anywhere in the nation. And when you get to work with good people and you love what you’re doing, and you know that the common goal is to help students, I can’t think of many jobs better than that,” Hooyman said.
She said once she leaves Northwest, the people are what she will miss the most.
During the academic affairs meeting Aug. 20, Hooyman shared various memories of different faculty and staff members throughout her time at Northwest. The first of which was from her first day at Northwest, sitting by Ernest Kramer, a former Northwest music professor. She said Kramer was the first person to introduce themself to her.
“I will tell you, writing my letter of retirement, writing this, has truly been something more difficult than I anticipated,” Hooyman said through tears. “I love what I do…when I thought about what to say, what words I was going to leave you with for fall of ’25, I realized there were so many things I could talk about, but really what it boils down to is the people.”
Hooyman said she will continue to remember all the accomplishments and challenges she has seen during her time at Northwest. Deciding how to continue the student learning process during COVID-19 is something she said she will never forget. During the academic affairs meeting, Hooyman said while brainstorming with other staff members the plan for 2020 they talked about the different learning environments
students’ homes might provide, rather than being on campus.
“But what I do remember is, right after we decided we’re going to have to call it off for the semester, a small group of us was in Garrett Strong trying to plan what to do and how to do it, all these things,” Hooyman said.
Tatum said Hooyman will be leaving the University with a strong legacy. He said one project she will be remembered for is her dedicated work during the academic restructure.
“I think the greatest legacy that Jamie (Hooyman) leaves is just how she is as a person,” Tatum said. “She is a delight to be around. She is a workhorse, and I mean that in the kind of sense (that) she does a tremendous amount of work. She is the kind of person that has a work ethic that you never have to be worried with.”
Tatum said the process to find a new provost has already begun.
“We decided that given the amount of time that (has) been given to us before Jamie retires, we need to do the very best that we can at attracting the most robust pool of applicants that we can find,” Tatum said.
Campus construction begins next phase
ANNA BAILEY News Editor | @AmBailey16
It is likely anyone who has been on campus during the first week of classes or earlier has seen the construction happening throughout. There are multiple projects in progress, but the majority of the construction people see is a part of the second phase of Northwest’s Energy Infrastructure Modernization project. The other large project is the expansion and remodel of Martindale Hall.
During the University Staff Meeting Aug. 20, University President Lance Tatum said the Energy Infrastructure Modernization project will elevate the student experience and secure a strong, sustainable future for Northwest.
“That commitment is especially evident in the Energy (Infrastructure) Modernization project that you have all been experiencing for the last year and a half,” Tatum said. “This multi-phase effort…is critical to our future.”
Northwest Provost Jamie Hooyman speaks at the Board of Regents meeting March 21, 2024. Hooyman, who is retiring after spending over nine years at Northwest, expressed that she is going to miss the people at the University the most.
Construction worker Matt Prettyman signals to his co-worker that he is pouring dirt in the right area Aug. 25. There are eight buildings on campus undergoing construction along with roads and sidewalks.
ALLI DUARTE COPY EDITOR
Elementary school reopens after renovations
workers in here working besides the front door buzzer system; they’re working on that during the school day,” Green said,
It is the first day of school at Eugene Field Elementary — kids are talking, the smell of new notebooks and markers is in the air and a construction worker is outside the building finishing up renovations.
When Proposition JUMP passed April 2, 2024, the community agreed renovations were needed amongst the schools within the Maryville R-II School District. The planned completion date for all the projects was August 2025. Eugene Field Elementary School, however, still has some final details to finish.
Eugene Field Elementary School Principal Chelli Green said there may be an outlet that needs fixing or a scratch on the wall, but otherwise, the project is complete. There is also some yardwork wrapping up on the outside.
“We don’t have any construction
“There’s no construction workers in here when the students are here.”
Green said she expects these final details to be finished within the next two weeks.
The largest portion of the renovations includes adding onto the building structure, making its size one-third bigger. The entirety was also updated with brighter hallways, a stage with lights and new decorations, including a new Spoofhound sign.
“Every single classroom has a sink in it now, all new cabinetry and obviously carpets, and well, everything is just so nice now and then,” Green said. “They also renovated the preschool classrooms down on the end, too. So basically, we erected one-third brand new and renovated the rest of the building.”
Prior to the completion of the reno-
City sees multiple leadership changes over the summer
despite efforts to fill it by June.
As summer swept by in Maryville, a number of changes took place in its leadership. These changes introduced an old-but-new face to the city manager position and left both a city council seat and finance director position open.
Since the summer started, Interim City Manager Ryan Heiland stepped into the full-time role of city manager. Maryville City Councilman Tye Parsons stepped down from the Council just three months after securing his seat in the April 8 election and Finance Director Denise Town officially retired July 4, leaving the position vacant
Heiland began his new role June 10, just three months into his six-month interim period.
He said there wasn’t anything drastic about the decision, but that the Council felt Heiland was a good fit moving forward. He said not much will change from the way former City Manager Greg McDanel worked.
“I can’t really say that I’ve done a whole lot different, to be honest,” Heiland said. “I think that was one of the benefits of choosing me as the permanent city manager as well, is that there was a continuity between City Council and staff, and just my familiarity with all the different projects, so it really allowed for a seamless transition.”
vations, Green said her office was at the Northwest Technical School. Here, she said she did not have access to electricity and would bring a hot spot along to allow her to work.
Green said the energy from the students on the first day was exciting. She said she spoke to each classroom and told all the students to take care of the new school.
“This is our home for the next, you know, 180 days or whatever that they’re here,” Green said.
“And so there I saw (a student) the other day, ‘I picked up some trash, Mrs. Green, keeping it for you.’ So I think they’re very proud to call this their home now.”
Sarah Dirksen, a parent at Eugene Field Elementary School, said one new addition she believes will be helpful is the circle drive. Prior to the renovations, she said the school buses would line up in front of the school, causing extra traf-
fic during drop off. Dirksen also went to Eugene Field Elementary School as a child. She said she loves being able to send her children to the same school she went to.
“I love that they’re updating this building, because I went to school here when it was just this building and not the extra stuff,” Dirksen said. “It’s really cool that they can still go to the same school that I went to, but it’s updated, and it’s nicer.” Green said all the comments she got from parents and other community members have been positive.
“It’s just we’re so blessed that our community did vote ‘yes,’” Green said. “I don’t know anything more important than improving the learning environment for our students.“I’m so appreciative that they saw the need.”
One major project Heiland is working toward is the city’s new comprehensive plan, Maryville Momentum 2045. He said it’s a plan that encompasses the visions and goals for the 20-year future of Maryville.
Heiland said the previous plan, which was adopted in 2012, was the basis for many of the grants the city has received since its implementation.
“It’s a very important project,” Heiland said. “We’ve been working with our consultant, RDG (Planning & Design) in Omaha, (Nebraska), getting a lot of input this summer from different stakeholder groups.”
Heiland said a design meeting regarding Maryville Momentum 2045 will take place Sept. 3 and 4, and will be open to the public. More information on what the project is and how it will develop will be made known during that meeting.
“That’ll be a great opportunity for community members to get involved and come provide their vision or their input for what they want to see for the next 20 years of Maryville,” Heiland said.
Just over a month after Hei-
land became city manager, Parsons stepped down from the Maryville City Council at its meeting July 14 after six years of service, hoping to spend more time with his family. His youngest daughter — who is involved in many sports and extracurriculars — just entered her senior year of high school. Parsons said he thought it was time to step away from the council and felt the city would be left in good hands.
“I feel like the city of Maryville is in a really good place right now, and really the projects are going very well…I believe the city’s in a really strong position, especially having hired Ryan (Heiland) as a full-time city manager,” Parsons said.
Out of the multitude of initiatives Parsons has helped pass on the Council, he said he is most proud of regionalizing 911 dispatch services, the South Main Corridor Improvement Project and the passage of the new water treatment plant.
Parsons said he enjoyed his time serving on the City Council, noting how well five people from different backgrounds
could come together for the good of the city.
“The five of us, not only the current iteration, but the previous councils, felt that we really worked well together…so I’ll definitely miss communicating with and working with our council members and city staff to really just continue the good work of the city,” Parsons said.
At the Council meeting Aug. 11, Erin Allen was appointed to fill the vacant role. She was sworn in Aug. 25.
On Independence Day, Town retired after 32 years in the finance director position, despite having no replacement.
Heiland said the finance director position is highly specialized and no applicants have had the experience the city is looking for. In the meantime, the city has hired Cheyenne Murphy as the assistant finance director.
“She’s (Murphy’s) been doing an amazing job filling in for Denise (Town) and helping out with staff with that,” Heiland said.
While he said the city is in a rush to fill that position, Heiland said it is also looking for the most qualified candidate it can find.
ANNA BAILEY News Editor | @AmBailey16
DAKOTA OSWALT Managing Editor | @doswalt_NWMSRN
Eugene Field Elementary students make their way into school Aug. 25. The construction around the school is said to be finished within the next two weeks.
ALLY JEFFRIES PHOTOGRAPHER
Maryville City Manager Ryan Heiland discusses sidewalk concerns at the City Council meeting Aug 25. Northwest
was awarded $600,000 for the project by the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Student Senate discussed the need to fill various Senate positions left vacant at the start of the new semester during its Aug. 26 meeting.
Vice President Phillip Motazedi highlighted the need to have a second Internal Relations Committee member, which is currently vacant.
“We want to get a full Senate,” Motazedi said. “We (Internal Relations) kind of recruit people onto Senate. This is a really important committee, and we’d love to get another chair on that.”
He said the biggest responsibility of Internal Relations is granting recognition to existing University organizations and new ones that are formed.
Other cabinet positions include one for public relations and two for governmental affairs. No cabinet members currently hold these positions and governmental affairs has no cabinet member representing the committee.
Motazedi also announced nine open positions on Student Senate: one senior class representative, one oncampus representative, one graduate representative, two inclusion representatives, one PAL representative, one nontraditional representative, one parliamentarian and one chief of staff.
On par with announcing vacancies, Executive President Anna Tucker reminded members that anyone can join Student Senate. She said senators should promote Senate to both their friends and peers.
Her goal is to fill all positions for Student Senate this year. She said that members could also recommend students who have good leadership qualities and would be fit into the organization.
“People can always join Senate,” Tucker said. “If you’re
talking to your friends and your peers about Student Senate, and it sounds like something they would love, let us know. There is going to be a way for us to get them on Senate.”
Tucker also announced upcoming freshman elections and told senators they can
choose to be a co-election commissioner. She said she wants to have two election commissioners this year. She said the two election commissioners will include one student who has been in Senate for a while, and another student who will
be a sophomore next year. Commissioners will help show freshmen how Student Senate works to make for an easy transition into a new position with Senate.
Also during the meeting, senior Allison McCord was voted on and sworn in as the new Panhellenic representative. She said she has done all class representative positions before, but is choosing to join as a Panhellenic representative as part of her duty on the Panhellenic Council.
Tucker ended the meeting by reminding senators that in Student Senate, they have the duty to help their campus and community. She said change doesn’t always happen in large decisions, but often small ones.
“Being on Student Senate isn’t just about attending meetings or making decisions, it’s about the students who will never sit at this table,” Tucker said. “It’s about using our voices so others feel heard, and about creating a campus that reflects the values that we all believe in. Sometimes the work will feel big and sometimes it will feel small, but both matter.”
She said the students will feel the impact of their actions, whether big or small.
Vice President of Student Affairs Matt Baker reminded senators that their actions each Tuesday during the Student Senate meetings are important to campus and other students.
“I think the Student Senate every Tuesday night is very important,” Baker said. “I think being the voice of the students and also developing your own leadership skills will make an impact on your fellow students.”
University Police lines see 3 disruptions over summer
ANNA BAILEY News Editor | @AMBailey16
Over the summer, the University Police telephone lines were disrupted three times. Northwest is hopeful this will not happen again after switching the campus landlines to Voice over Internet Protocol lines.
The transition to VoIP lines at the University began during the summer of 2024, according to the Northwest’s office of information technology. Director of Infrastructure Services Tim Carlyle said the switch was completed over the summer, making the UPD the last office to make the change.
“It was just trying to get them coordinated, to get the phone numbers released so that we could move them to (Microsoft) Teams,” Carlyle said. “But it was also just trying to coordinate with everybody, trying to work with everybody, making sure that we got it in a timely manner, and then try to do it the middle of semester, or, you know, ‘Hey, sorry, you’re going to be without your phone numbers.’”
By using VoIP lines, the University is able to make and receive phone calls over the internet rather than relying on the landlines it previously had, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
Carlyle said VoIP lines allow faculty and staff to be anywhere they want while making and receiving calls, rather than having to be in their office. He said Microsoft Teams was chosen to be the provider at Northwest.
“We connect through the internet to Microsoft Teams in the cloud, and then that provides us access to our phone numbers that we had originally, and then text us out to the rest of the world through the phone lines whenever we make a phone call to cell phones or regular phone numbers,” Carlyle said.
University Police Chief Amanda Cullin said the UPD used landlines throughout the summer that were having issues, causing the phone line disruptions. She said during disruptions, the UPD always had a backup plan.
“When our hard line was
“
I think the biggest one is being able to make phone calls. You’re from your cell phone, your laptop, you could be on the beach, if you wanted to be, and make a call, and nobody would know any different.”
TIM CARLYLE
NORTHWEST DIRECTOR OF INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES
down, we shared the information with outside law enforcement agencies, as well as send it out to our community on Bearcat Alert,” Cullin said.
Cullin said since the UPD is now using VoIP, there should not be any more disruptions. Over the summer, when the phone lines were disrupted, a Bearcat Alert was sent out to students, faculty and staff. Cullin said these messages requested the community to call a specified phone number when contact with the UPD was needed.
She said the VoIP lines will automatically connect to the cell phone backup line, making it unnecessary for a Bearcat Alert to be sent out if there are issues
UPD LINE DISRUPTION
with the phone lines.
“Now that we fully switched over to VoIP, then we shouldn’t have the issues that we had over the summer due to the heat and the excessive rain,” Cullin said. Carlyle said using VoIP has multiple other benefits as well. This includes allowing voicemails to go to the receiver’s email, as well as adding a call tree to the campus phones.
“We have a list of services now, instead of where they used to have to wait to get a hold of a person and then ask them, ‘Hey, I need to talk to somebody.’” Carlyle said. “Here we actually have a call tree now that you can pick somebody or have one, two, three, four, to get to that office. That’s a benefit to try to help redirect people faster than having to wait for somebody to pick up and try to direct them for them.”
Carlyle said the only downside to using VoIP lines would be if the internet goes down, so would the phones; however, he said this happens rarely.
“It’s an overall, it’s going to be a plus,” Carlyle said. “I think the biggest one is being able to make phone calls. You’re from your cell phone, your laptop, you could be on the beach, if you wanted to be, and make a call, and nobody would know any different.”
Student Senate President Anna Tucker introduces each member to open up the first Senate meeting of the fall semester
Aug. 26. Tucker promoted expanding the board for new and interested students.
NATHAN NODA PHOTO EDITOR
SOURCE: UPD
CRIME LOG
for the week of Aug. 28
Northwest Missouri State University Police Department
Aug. 22
There is a closed investigation for a vehicle accident on North College Ave. and West 16th Street.
Aug. 21
There is a closed investigation for property damage in Parking Lot 42.
There is a closed investigation for a vehicle accident in Parking Lot 41.
There is a closed investigation for a vehicle accident in Parking Lot 43.
There is a closed investigation for a vehicle accident in Parking Lot 43.
Aug. 19
There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in the Olive Deluce Fine Arts building.
There is an open investigation for stealing online.
Maryville Department of Public Safety
Aug. 22
There is an ongoing investigation for leaving the scene of an accident on the 300 block of East Davison Square.
There was a summons issued to Amanda J. Oliver 35, for the sale of alcohol to a minor on the 1600 block of South Main Street.
There was a summons issued to Tabitha L. Lebow, 42, for the sale of alcohol to a minor on the 600 block of South Main Street.
There was a summons issued to Veronica PerezHernandez, 24, for the sale of alcohol to a minor on the 900 block of South Main Street.
There was a summons issued to Kylee J. Stockton 21, for the sale of alcohol to a minor on the 300 block of North Market Street.
There was a summons issued to Elinson Mejia Castaneda, 25, for the sale of alcohol to a minor on the 400 block of North Main Street.
Aug. 21
There was an accident between Benjamin T. Moran 28, and Blade A. Martwick 44, on the 1600 block of South Main Street.
HOOYMAN
Tax rates lower for city residents
DAKOTA OSWALT Managing Editor | @doswalt_NWMSRN
The Missouri State Auditor’s Office recommended a decreased tax levy for the city, and it was approved by the Maryville City Council at its meeting Aug. 25.
Maryville’s Assistant Finance Director Cheyenne Murphy said the SAO calculated the property tax revenue suggestions. To do this, it reviewed information from the city, as well as the additional valuation of property completed by Nodaway County.
“After the Board of Equalization met, we received those numbers, it went to the state and then they actually recommended the tax levies,” Murphy said. “Overall, there is a decrease in the tax levy rates for 2025…the difference is .0432 cents for every $100.”
Murphy said Maryville is using a consumer price index percentage of 2.9%, meaning from year to year, the city cannot collect an excess of 2.9% in revenues compared to the previous year, as certified by the State Tax Commission. She said the funds from this are used to cover debt issuance or general obligation bonds.
“(It) isn’t necessarily to make money off of it, it’s just to pay those payments,” Murphy said.
After establishing these tax rates, multiple funds are expected to generate more tax revenue for Fiscal Year 2025. It is estimated that the General Fund will make $614,390; the Debt Retirement Fund $149,886; the Parks & Recreation Fund $673,248; and the Public Library Fund $476,337.
As for the University, an agreement
was made between the city and Northwest regarding pedestrian safety on College Drive in front of the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building.
“(It)
includes an eight-foot sidewalk, ADA ramps, a traffic table across College Avenue…street lights and landscaping.”
RYAN HEILAND CITY MANAGER
In spring 2024, the Council approved a letter of funding and support for the College Drive Pedestrian Safety and Connectivity Project through the Missouri Department of Transportation. It aims to address the crosswalk concerns between the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building and Martindale Hall, since there is no sidewalk on College Drive’s south side and six diagonal crosswalks across the road. City Manager Ryan Heiland further explained its purpose.
“The project modifies pedestrian ame-
nities along College Avenue between North Ray Avenue and North Munn Avenue,” Heiland said. “(It) includes an eight-foot sidewalk, ADA ramps, a traffic table across College Avenue…street lights and landscaping.” Heiland said this July, Northwest was awarded $600,000 for the project through MoDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Program. The total cost is estimated at $746,172 with a 20% match of $150,000. Northwest and the city will split that 20% match.
Heiland said Maryville will pay for 11% of both the engineering phase and construction phase of the project. This puts the city’s total monetary contributions at about $16,500, and it will be included in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Heiland said the project is expected to begin this fall.
Other City Council Business:
• Erin Allen was sworn in as the newest member of City Council. She was appointed to the role after Tye Parsons stepped down last month. Allen declined to comment with the Missourian at the time of this publication.
• An alteration was made to the Downtown Pedestrian Alleyway Project. The original pergola design included in the project was $340,000, but was dropped due to budget restraints. A change order added the pergola back in, but with a different design at $130,000. The pergola is expected to have a porch swing, LED lighting and electrical outlets. It is to be made of metal and wood, meaning it will match the pavilion constructed in the Downtown Pavilion Project.
He said the goal is to select a smaller number of candidates by November so they can come to campus and meet with compiled groups of staff, faculty and students.
Tatum said in the best-case scenario, the selection team will fall in love with an appli-
CONTINUED FROM A1 BUDGET CONTINUED FROM A1
“All indicators were that we would see that 3%, so that’s what we budgeted for Northwest, which was about ($)1.1 million,” Carrick said.
Tatum said the $550,000 loss in core funding will have effects on planning and services across the University. However, he said Northwest developed budgets based on both scenarios — one with 1.5% in core funds and one with 3% in core funds.
“What we have done is we have made the appropriate adjustments related to the one and a half not being put into our core allocation,” Tatum said.
One way Northwest cuts back is by remaining below 100% employment, so there are always vacant positions.
Tatum said Northwest’s leadership and administration are trying hard not to touch academics or other programming that supports students. Under the current budget scenario, Tatum said no programs or positions will be cut.
Carrick said the core appropriations are just one piece of the entire revenue system. In the 90s, she said they made up about 70% of the University’s budget. Today, that number is about 30%, so she said tuition, fees and enrollment drive more of Northwest’s revenue stream than state appropriations.
cant who also accepts the position and will be ready to begin in January. He said when choosing applicants, he will look for people who have at least three years of background in senior-level administration, as well as enrollment management experience.
Tatum also said the candidates should already be an excellent teacher and be comfortable working with students daily.
“It is extremely important for us to find somebody who truly understands how recruiting is conducted and how marketing campaigns work within that context of recruiting, and then how, once you get students to the university, you keep them,” Tatum said.
Hooyman said she will not be a part of the training process of the new provost, but she has been working with the Admin-
“We’re very appreciative of what we get from the state, but it’s a much smaller piece of the pie,” Carrick said. “We, from a leadership perspective, look at all the different drivers of the budget...and our goal is always to strive to align our expenses with our revenues.”
Capital projects are another aspect that’s considered during budget cutbacks. If a building needs some of its carpet replaced, for example, Carrick said it may be put on hold.
While certain expenditures may be pushed back, Tatum said the major construction projects will continue as planned.
“We’re not going to draw back on the infrastructure project,” Tatum said. “We’re too
committed to that.”
The University has also asked each department on campus not to spend as much in their respective operating budgets.
Carrick said the topic of budgets in higher education is complex. Since tuition revenue is based on enrollment — which can be volatile at times — and a check from the state, the budget will always vary year-to-year.
“One of my goals is for our employees and students to not feel that impact or to see that impact,” Carrick said. “Our goal is to minimize that, let leadership put that on our shoulders, so that the students and employees, for the most part, don’t notice that or see it.”
istrative Specialist and Board of Regents Secretary Diane Hargrave to prepare all the necessary files for the next couple of semesters. She said this will make the transition smoother.
Despite Hooyman’s plans and excitement for her retirement, she said she will still be keeping her eye on Northwest.
“The future here is so bright, and there’s so many good people that will continue on so
PROJECT
CONTINUED FROM A1
Phase I of the Energy Infrastructure Modernization project included: the replacement of two chillers in the University’s chiller plant, which bring cool air to buildings on campus; a conversion from a centralized steam plant to a decentralized water plant; upgrades to the electrical infrastructure; and upgrades to the water infrastructure on campus.
Phase II of the project includes: the installation of a new winter chiller, which will allow cold water to be produced all year; upgrades to the heating ventilation and air conditioning system; and the continuation of the conversion of the water plant and upgrades to the electrical infrastructure.
Tatum explained the impact this project has already had on campus is transformative.
“The later stage of Phase II will require that we temporarily close the Administration Building in January; an inconvenience, yes, but a necessary step in upgrading the core systems that power our campus,” Tatum said.
Tatum said it is expected the Administration Building will be closed for seven months. Stacy Carrick, the vice president of finance and administration, said administrative offices will be relocated to nearby buildings such
many great traditions, that I look forward to seeing how the University continues to grow,” Hooyman said. “I’ll definitely be keeping my eye (on Northwest) and because we know, you know the saying ‘Once a Bearcat, Always a Bearcat.’ So I will continue rooting for this University, but I am excited to start the next chapter.
as the B.D. Owens Library, the J.W. Jones Student Union and the Valk Center.
“While the physical location will change, we expect business to continue as usual, and all services will remain available to students,” Carrick said in an email to the Missourian.
Carrick said the main challenge she sees forthcoming with the relocation is the logistics of moving and adjusting to the new space. She said plans are made ahead of time to minimize the impact.
Carrick said during the relocation, she expects the primary adjustment for students will be locating each office.
“We’ll provide clear communication and signage to help ensure everyone knows where to go for the services they need,” Carrick said.
It is expected that the Energy Infrastructure Modernization project will move on to Phase III during the summer of 2026, according to Northwest’s infrastructure modernization webpage.
Tatum said the renovation project of Martindale Hall is expected to wrap up by the spring semester.
“When complete, Martindale will serve as a modern hub for Allied Health Education, addressing vital regional workforce needs and preparing for the next generation of health and wellness professionals,” Tatum said.
Maryville Assistant Finance Director Cheyenne Murphy talks about the budget change for city taxes in the City Council meeting Aug. 25. The Council agreed on decreasing the tax levy for the city.
NATHAN VANDRUFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe presents his campaign at the MPA debates Sept. 2024. Northwest lost out on over $500,000 due to Missouri’s latest budget pass.
Fan culture is ruining media; stop obsessing
HANNAH CLAYWELL Editor-in-Chief @Hannah_9504
Much like the rest of my generation, I am chronically online. Of course, that means I spent the beginning of my summer break watching Love Island USA.
I loved it — the drama, the crying and the weird challenges. However, I didn’t like going on any social media platform after and having to watch the parasocial discourse. I couldn’t get away from it.
I am being reminded all over again how toxic and stressful social media was, since the reunion episode has gone out.
The more our society relies on social media and treats it like real life or the end-all be-all of everything, the less we act in a socially acceptable manner.
The death threats and constant harassment happening online are intense, to say the least. It’s almost scary to be online or post anything. It was supposed to just be a fun way to interact with others around the world. Now, if you say anything people don’t agree with, you’ll be doxed and have to live in fear of someone showing up at your house. It isn’t just the hate; it’s the obsession people have with others on social media. Anyone with a larger following than average has fans, and, inevitably, a couple become intense. This can present as acting like you’re in a relationship with someone you’ve never met and becoming so jealous if they start dating someone that you send their partner threats online.
I will admit I have found influencers attractive before, but we need to be able to separate that from our reality. The truth is, it is extremely unlikely any of us would ever be in a relationship with our celebrity crush.
We need to stop using social media as a crutch for these ridiculous behaviors. If you’re going on social media to leave hate comments or live in a parasocial fantasy, it’s time to take a moment and reflect on yourself.
I’m not going to tell you to go touch grass. Obviously, you can have an opinion, and you have every right to express that opinion, but telling someone to kill themselves or acting like an influencer owes you anything isn’t OK.
About two in three teens are often exposed to online harassment, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. That’s a crazy statistic when thinking about how quickly social media has grown and changed.
Social media was first introduced to us in the 1990s. That’s only 35 years ago; and now some people can’t function without it.
I miss being able to mindlessly scroll through social media. Now, everything is a problem, or someone is complaining about something. In reality, none of this actually matters, and letting social media or reality television shows highly impact your emotions is unhealthy.
Overall, I just want to be able to watch the shows I like and doomscroll without it being ruined by weirdos online who can’t separate social media from reality.
OUR VIEW:
Students need to recognize construction is necessary
Whether it’s the inaccessible sidewalks, the blocked roadways or the semi-closed parking lots, navigating campus — especially as an incoming student — can be pretty difficult. Even as an upperclassman, it can be frustrating to deal with.
However, it’s important to keep in mind all the good that will come out of this. We can complain on YikYak all we want, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s happening — and it needs to.
It’s been two years since Northwest’s Energy Infrastructure Modernization Project began with the goal to decentralize the University’s boilers, which provide heat to campus buildings via a two-mile-long tunnel system under the campus. Decentralizing these — or breaking the plant apart — allows for more efficient energy use among all the campus buildings.
The boilers are around 30 years past their typical life expectancy, with some equipment beyond repair. If you’ve been on campus a while, you know that pipe bursts, hot water loss and line disruptions have been common occurrences of aged boilers.
The Editorial Board knows the disruption isn’t fun, which is why
YOUR VIEW:
What do you think about the construction on campus?
this construction is so vital. Our campus would not be able to function at a high rate if we continued with our current infrastructure. This is standard practice, and it just so happens to be in progress while we are here.
If it wasn’t for construction — ever — Northwest would not be the campus we know today, and possibly could’ve ceased to exist.
It’s not visually appealing — we get that. We have a beautiful campus here, and it can be hard to see through all the clutter at times. Still, students should look past the messy work and appreciate all the effort that goes into keeping our University running properly and efficiently.
Everything will go back to looking nice once this is done. Take the recent Starbucks renovation, for example; there’s now a newly-modernized coffee shop in the B.D. Owens Library, completing the Novel Grounds aesthetics. It might be hard right now, but envision what it will look like once the sidewalks are back in place and the major renovations are all over.
Most upperclassmen — and possibly the incoming class — likely won’t be around to see the end-result of
CAILLYN MCALISTER SOPHOMORE ANIMAL SCIENCE
“Oh man, it’s definitely chaotic. And I’m really tired of seeing ‘Bearcat Improvements Underway’ signs everywhere. But I feel like I’m already noticing differences from the construction last year, so I hope that we’ll have those same improvements this year.”
KRISTINA BIGGS JUNIOR EARLY EDUCATION
this project, as it is not expected to wrap up until the summer of 2026. However, there will be tens of thousands of Bearcats who will see it — perhaps even our future children. We need to support this project because of the positive impacts it will have on every person down the road, even though we are just seeing the beginning phases.
Take Buffalo Wild Wings GO: The restaurant opened on campus months after its expected opening date. Many people were upset about the delay, but now it’s a popular destination on campus. It appears it was worth the wait — no one even talks about the delay anymore. It’s also important to highlight how well the University has handled transparency. Media releases, traffic maps and other communications have been consistently sent out on various platforms to inform and update the Northwest community about its progress.
We’re not saying we aren’t also annoyed by the construction, we’re saying we need to look past the small annoyances we are facing now and focus on the bigger picture — a better Northwest.
“I’m not going to lie, it’s kind of frustrating, because I live in FVA (Forest Village Apartments), so the apartments here on campus. It is definitely blocking my way to Brown Hall which is where literally all of my classes are.”
DEVIN JACKSON SENIOR PSYCHOLOGY
“I think it’s a bit of (an) annoyance. I feel like a lot more of it should have been done during the summer; but, I mean, it at least hasn’t affected me hugely in the sense that I haven’t been able to get to any of my classes on time. But I’ve heard that it has been a problem for some.”
Your Bearcat encourages JoJo Siwa
“JoJo, have you learned nothing?” — An iconic quote by dance teacher and reality TV star Abby Lee Miller to her then-young student, the nowinfamous JoJo Siwa.
Most people think JoJo hasn’t learned anything — the dancer and singer has been the focus of multiple controversies in the past year; it all started when the glitter-covered, bowwearing child star decided to be the first celebrity in Generation Z to become edgy.
Apparently, most of the world thought that was absurd, citing various other child stars gone rogue in our time: Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Amanda Bynes, etc.
I, however, think JoJo is doing absolutely amazing in her new era. From her distinctive singing abilities to her cringeworthy red carpet moments to her overly-aggressive choreography, she is totally pulling it off. After all, she did singlehandedly create the gay pop music genre — at least that’s what she believes. It might be better to let her have this.
More recently, JoJo has switched up her personality even more. Over the summer, JoJo traded in her iconic black “Karma” unitard and mohawk for a 50s-inspired gingham outfit with a blonde, curly bob. I guess she’s been preparing to create her new music genre —
trad-wife pop.
A lot of people hated on JoJo for her new look and her subsequent cover of “Bette Davis Eyes,” but they also took aim at her new relationship with fellow reality star Chris Hughes, whom she met during an eventful season of UK’s Celebrity Big Brother. So what if JoJo allegedly cheated on her significant other with this man on live television? True love is true love.
People online keep accusing JoJo of clout-chasing and attention-seeking. While I do think her new behavior is certainly shocking, innovative and neverbeen-done-before, I think she’s just being true to herself.
I am in full support of JoJo
NORTHWEST MISSOURIAN
Siwa and her right to be the most out-of-pocket, original and completely unique celebrity Hollywood has ever seen. If she keeps up with the dramatic transformations every few months, there will be no other music genres for other artists to create or personas for them to copy. It’s fascinating. So while most of you will go home, scroll on TikTok, and hate on JoJo Siwa, just remember how much she’s changed the world compared to you. Without JoJo, we’d have a lot less joy in our lives.
has been a tradition since 1918 and does not reflect the views of The Northwest
CADEN WILLMANN CARTOONIST
The Stroller
Missourian.
UPCOMING GAMES
Soccer seeks new experiences
LEAH COX Asst. Sports Editor | @byleahcox
Northwest women’s soccer will take the field this fall with a new and younger look, stepping onto Bearcat pitch for their home opener 3 p.m. Sept. 5 to face Northern State.
5:30 p.m.
4:30
4:30 p.m.
After graduating eight seniors from last season’s roster, the Bearcats reloaded their 27-player roster with 11 freshmen and two redshirt freshmen. With just three seniors left, the group may be younger, but senior center back Moira Franck said age doesn’t matter.
“Our team is very close,” Franck said. “There’s no age gap — the seniors are close to the freshmen, and we’re just a cohesive team.”
The closeness has been especially important with so many new faces stepping onto the field. Franck said the older players have taken on a bigger role in making sure the freshmen feel welcomed and comfortable both on and off the field.
A big part of helping the freshmen feel welcome was the captain-led bonding before the preseason practices. Players returned to campus in early August to run workouts and spend time together. Head coach Marc Gordon said the meetings were held by senior captains Franck, forward Margaret Madden and goalkeeper Lily Ellis.
“The girls came back for some
PERFECTION
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“We want to be the best team in the country, you know,” McMenamin said. “We’re not scared to say that. We want to chase perfection. I don’t think being perfect exists, but we want to chase that. We just know we got to win every game.”
The ’Cats will open the season 6 p.m. Aug. 28 against Minnesota State at Blakeslee Stadium in Mankato, Minnesota. Minne-
sota State holds a 10-8 winning record against the Bearcats, taking home the win in the last two meetings. Last season, then-No. 13 Minnesota State walked away from Bearcat Stadium with a 3622 win Aug. 29, 2024. “Mankato is the first one; we want to win there, and once we get past them, we’ll worry about the next step,” McMenamin said. “Our plan is to win quite a few of them, and our kids understand that, and I think they’re starting to expect that.”
voluntary activities in the beginning of August and did some captain-led practices, and spent time with our strength and conditioning program,” Gordon said. “They just have been really instrumental and kind of like big sisters to the new players.”
Heading into the season, the Bearcats are No. 6 in the preseason Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association rankings after going 7-6-6 in 2024. The team’s primary goal is to return
TAILGATE
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“That’s part of the job,” Peterson said. “I’m here mainly for our student athletes and their experience. A part of that is being able to provide the type of environment that they deserve on game days. This is a part of that, the fan experience of being able to come and tailgate safely, effi ciently and having a
to the MIAA Tournament and push further than last season, when they fell 3-2 to the University of Central Missouri in the opening round.
That matchup was symbolic of the year as a whole. Nearly every game came down to the wire, with the Bearcats just one or two plays away from turning the tide in their favor. Those close games left the returning players with a sense of unfinished business, sparking a fire within them.
great time.” Peterson said he understands fans can be skeptical, especially when dealing with money. He said $50 over the course of the football season can be a hindrance, but it’s helping the institution.
“I can appreciate a loyal fan that’s been coming to Bearcat games for 20, 30, 40 years and never had to pay for parking,” Peterson said. “It’s just kind of the changing of the times and
Building off the skill of the senior leaders, Webb wants to focus on the basics in order to win.
“The offensive plan is just to be able to not turn the football over and score points,” Webb said.
Webb also named junior Jackson Dredge the starting quarterback for the year. Last year, Dredge stepped up when then-senior Matthew Walter got injured, and has soared ever since. Dredge played in 10 games in the 2024 season, passing for 763 yards and recording eight touchdowns.
The Spoofhound offense lost big perform-
the environment that we live in now.”
He said he is willing to talk to anyone about the change, and all of his contact information can be found online.
The plan will be in effect for the home-opening game Sept. 13. Parking lots will be open four hours before kick-off, and ticket holders can present a digital pass to parking attendants on game days.
ers due to graduation, then-senior wide receivers Kole Zarbano and Major Scarbrough led the team in receiving yards. Zarbano capped off the 2024 season with 548, while Major Scarbrough had 227.
They also lost then-senior running backs Gavin McAtee and Canon Creason. McAtee led the team with 992 rushing yards while Creason collected 302.
Just like in previous years, injuries and graduations will test the roster, but the Spoofhound motto endures: tradition never graduates.
“We’ve had a motto that tradition never graduates, so new players will step in and do what we need to do to win football games,” Webb said.
Northwest women’s soccer then-senior midfielder Yesenia Arnau attacks in its matchup against Missouri South-
ern October 2024. The team had eight graduates last season, but have 13 freshmen and redshirt freshmen entering.
OLIVIA WALLACE
CASTAWAY ’CATS
NW trio goes abroad; ’Cats talk strategy
For the first time in program history, two Bearcat volleyball players had the opportunity to travel overseas and compete on one of two USA Division II Volleyball Teams.
The USA Division II Volleyball Blue Team consisted of ten players from eight different colleges, while the Red Team consisted of nine players from six different colleges.
Bearcat seniors setter Ella Caffery and right side hitter Kasidy Mohwinkle were two of the nine players selected to play on the USA Division II Volleyball Red Team. Bearcat volleyball head coach Amy Woerth was also selected as the Red Team’s head coach.
Woerth honed in on the importance of the connection between Caffery and Mohwinkle, both of whom were statistical leaders for the Bearcats in the 2024 season.
“Kasidy (Mohwinkle) runs a pretty fast ball back over there, and it’s not an easy set to make,” Woerth said. “If you think about it, being in Brazil, she got to set that many more balls to Kasidy, so it’s only going to help her.”
While in a different environment, Caffery took each game as a learning opportunity and something new to bring back to the program as the team’s only setter. In previous seasons, the team has had two setters. Which was a tool Woerth has tried to utilize against big opponents. In past seasons, the team
has run a 6-2 play, which means that there will be two setters swapping on and off the court, opposed to a 5-1, which is more common. A 5-1 play is where the team relies on the setter for the duration of the game.
“There was another setter on the team,” Caffery said.
“Just collaborating with another setter and getting to learn her tendencies, maybe I picked up one or two things that I could learn there. And also making that connection with (Kasidy Mohwinkle) better.”
Last season, Mohwinkle racked up 260 kills, and Caffery led the team with 813 assists.
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Bearcat volleyball players competed on one of the USA Division II Volleyball Teams.
The end of the 2024 season also saw the departure of six senior players. Bearcat volleyball has reloaded its roster for the 2025 season, welcoming six freshmen aboard — something the team is not used to.
“We’re pretty young,” Woerth said. “When you think about a
team of 17 and six of them are new, that’s a lot. What we need to think about is, in my opinion, thinking about being good towards the middle to the late half of the season because we’re so new.”
For the upcoming season, the team opens up on the road with the Fort Hays State Tournament, where it will take on further new challenges compared to recent seasons.
Of Northwest’s three matchups in the tournament, two will be against teams unfamiliar to the current ’Cats. The Bearcats
Maryville softball builds confidence in players; looks forward to
Close games and late-inning heartbreaks defined Maryville softball’s 2024 season, but this fall, the Spoofhounds are determined to flip the script.
The Spoofhounds ended their season 9-19, with a first-round exit in the Class 3 District 8 tournament with a 14-0 loss to Chillicothe (23-6). Second-year head coach Brylee Kemper said she believes the key to turning those losses into wins lies in the confidence and focus of the players.
“Last year, the record itself doesn’t look pretty,” Kemper said. “However, we lost a lot of games in the last inning or two. A lot of those were mental mistakes and mental errors — if we fix those, we can be just
as good or even better than last year’s team.”
This fall, Kemper brought in a new mindset — building confidence is more important for anything.
Kemper said the team’s closegame struggles were not due to talent, but lapses in focus during crucial moments. She hopes a renewed mindset will help the Spoofhounds avoid repeating those mistakes.
“Really, just building confidence is my motto,” Kemper said. “I’d rather you just be confident in yourself and with your teammates and have a positive mindset while you’re on the field.”
For Maryville, senior utility player Ella Eckley is the perfect picture of confidence. During the offseason, she dedicat-
opener
ed hours of her summer to the batting cages and honing her skills, not just for her own
I love this sport so much, I just want everyone to do as best as they can and have fun.”
ELLA ECKLEY SENIOR UTILITY PLAYER
have not faced Arkansas Tech since 2016, and they have never faced Cameron. The third opponent, Rockhurst, has not gone against Northwest since the 2023 season.
“I think it will be a great learning experience,” Caffery said. “I mean, just throw all the freshmen right into the fire. All of these arenas — even us, there are places we’ve never played as upperclassmen as well. It’ll definitely test us.” Every game is a new challenge for the Bearcats, but the team is ready for the test. The team fin-
performance but to set an example for her teammates.
Kemper said Eckley’s leadership has already left an impression on the younger players, who look to her for guidance and support. Her commitment to the program over the summer has been a reflection of her dedication.
“Ella Eckley’s presence alone speaks volumes to the younger girls,” Kemper said. “She was at almost all the summer practices, helping them — that kind of leadership is huge.”
Eckley’s goal this season is to not only break the RBI record but to have a great time while doing it.
“I love this sport so much, I just want everyone to do as best as they can and have fun,” Eckley said.
“My personal goal is to break the RBI record I set last year. But as a team, I just want everyone to have fun — that’s the most important.”
ished 16-12 overall and 9-7 in MIAA play in 2024, and the ’Cats are ready to pounce back.
First serve will be 11:30 a.m. Sept. 5 in Hays, Kansas, where the ’Cats will face Arkansas Tech for their first game of the tournament.
“I think we’re ready to take on anyone,” Mohwinkle said. “We’ve been practicing super hard, pushing each other even 110% in every single practice. I think we’re ready for whatever comes at us.”
This year, strategy will also be a new focus for the team. Kemper wants to emphasize situational hitting and getting runners in scoring position rather than relying solely on power. The combination of confidence, leadership and the newfound strategy will be key to coming out on top in those close games.
One of the tightest contests last season was the opener against North Andrew Aug. 29, 2024, where the Spoofhounds fell 7-5. This year, Maryville will get a chance for redemption when they rematch North Andrew during the home-opener 5 p.m. Aug. 28 at Maryville High School.
“No matter the score, no matter the situation, we’re going to dedicate ourselves to being the hardest-working team out there from start to finish,” Kemper said.
Bearcat volleyball senior right side hitter Kasidy Mohwinkle, head coach Amy Woerth, and senior setter Ella Caffery
pose with the American flag May 20 while representing Northwest on the USA Division II Volleyball Team.
SUBMITTED
Northwest volleyball senior right side hitter Kasidy Mohwinkle goes for the kill during a Brazil tour matchup May 19. Mohwinkle was selected for a USA Division II Volleyball Team to play overseas in Brazil over the summer, May 12-21.
OLIVIA WALLACE
Maryville softball, led by second-year coach Brylee Kemper, lines up for its annual team photo. The ’Hounds will start off the 2025 season 4:30 p.m. Aug. 28 against North Andrew at Maryville High School.
LEAH COX
Asst. Sports Editor | @byleahcox
CHASING PERFECTION
NW football looks for clean start
With the new season of college football upon us and a new coach at the helm, Bearcat football has big expectations to meet.
There is a noticeable change in the atmosphere — first-year head coach John McMenamin believes it is from the family bond the ’Cats have with one another.
“The previous staff did a great job, and our coaches are great people,” McMenamin said. “I just know that we (the coaches) pride ourselves on power and positive thinking and
TAILGATE LOT FEES
having emotion and having passion. Our kids are starting to do the same thing.”
One way the team is showing passion is through the seniors guiding the new players in every drill and celebrating every play — no matter the score. The passion the team talks about made an appearance during the annual Green and White Scrimmage Aug. 22.
The seniors have played a big role in the team’s passion — one senior standout is linebacker Carter Edwards.
“We’re going to make it how we want it to be,” Edwards said at Mid-America Intercollegiate
Athletics Association Football Media Day. “Lots of great leadership by guys in every position. It’s been pretty special to see the younger guys step in and the new transfers that are embracing the program of the past traditions.”
One coach who has remained with the Bearcats is defensive coordinator Chad Bostwick. He has played a big role in guiding the team since 2011 and has been a constant role model for the defensive players. Bostwick is also the brother of former head coach Scott Bostwick, who passed away in 2011.
“I am a pretty emotional guy,
so seeing coach Bostwick with that red hat for the first time is going to be pretty special,” Edwards said.
“It’s not just going to be in any common place; he’ll have Scott up there with him. I’m going to play my butt off for that guy every snap, sideline to sideline.”
Looking at the season ahead, the Bearcats are striving to be the best they can be. McMenamin has set one goal for the team: to be the best. In the 2024 season, the team ended 6-5 overall and 5-4 in MIAA play, which is the worst season produced since 1995.
Bearcat Athletics adds new $10 tailgate lot fee
HANNAH CLAYWELL Editor-in-Chief | @Hannah_9504
As the new school year begins, many changes can be seen at Northwest. One of these changes is the implementation of paid parking in the tailgate lots — Parking Lots 60 and 62 — by the Carl Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse.
The single spaces will now cost $10 plus fees for each game. The spaces will not be available for purchase at the entrances of the lot on game days and need to be purchased beforehand. The passes will be available for purchase two weeks in advance for each home game.
Director of Athletics Andy Peterson said this change has been talked about for a long time, and it’s become a new norm for college athletics to have paid parking.
“There’s a liability we have with security that we have to pay for, and so charging for parking helps us offset those costs,” Peterson said. “In a world that we live in of limited resources, it’s just one of those things that we kind of
Spoofhounds open season against defending champion
Maryville football will open its season at home against the defending Class 3 State Champion Blair Oaks 5:30 p.m. Aug. 29 — the same team that ended last year’s post season run. The rivalry between the ’Hounds and the Falcons runs even deeper this season. Blair Oaks not only eliminated Maryville from the playoffs but has also domi-
nated the regular season matchup in recent years. The Falcons have beaten the Spoofhounds nine straight times — with the last ’Hounds win dating back to Nov. 8, 2017.
Despite the long losing streak, head coach Matt Webb said the game will be a thrilling contest and hopes fans will pack the stands to support the team.
“We’re playing the defending Class 3 State Champions, Blair Oaks,” Webb said. “It’s Friday night lights, it’s exciting. Get out
to the ’Hound Pound, we’ve got a great product and a great community in our football program.”
Ahead of the season, four senior captains were named to lead the team this season: guard and defensive tackle Cannon Scarbrough; running back and strong safety Brody Shepherd; running back and offensive lineman Weston Tally; and running back and middle linebacker Sadler Viau.
have to do our best to generate revenue in ways that help us offset those costs and have the game day experience that we feel like our fans deserve.”
The athletics department has to outsource some of the security in the stadium on game days, and this additional revenue would assist in covering those expenses.
Peterson said another benefit of implementing this change is guaranteeing spots and the potential to cut down on traffic lines.
He said he doesn’t predict the change will affect attendance.
“Our Bearcat fans are very loyal,” Peterson said. “If…the coaching staff and our Bearcats put the product out on the field that we think we’re going to, we still think it’s a great opportunity for folks to come watch high-level football and be a part of something bigger than themselves and in a special environment.”
Regarding feedback, Peterson said there is always going to be praise and criticism for any change or news coming from the athletics department.
Northwest football redshirt freshman wide receiver Donovan Anderson celebrates with redshirt freshman quarterback Cael Turner after a touchdown in the team’s scrimmage Aug. 22. The Bearcats are ready to start their 2025 season under new coach John McMenamin.
OLIVIA WALLACE SPORTS EDITOR
OLIVIA WALLACE
Maryville football freshman wide receiver Austin Stone reaches over his head for a catch at practice Aug. 26.
